Secretary General of the World Council of Churches, Honorable Professor, Dr. Jerry Pilley expressed a deep concern about the recent developments related to the Armenian Apostolic Church, including the arrest of high-ranking clergymen in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
"The Armenian Apostolic Church is a special place in the spiritual, cultural and historical life of the Armenian people," Pilley said. "The messages on the use of force in the sacred territories and the detainee of clergy are worried about religious freedom, sanctity of religious institutions and the autonomy of religious institutions."
The World Council of Churches also realizes the impact that the public rhetoric can have in the moments of regional tensions said, Pilley said. "A hostile or contemptuous language of religious communities endangers to deepen public divisions when unity and understanding are most needed," he said.
Pilley has called on the Armenian government to protect all religious leaders and institutions, to refrain from actions or statements to religiously enforcement, religious trial, peaceful implementation of the peaceful and constructive dialogue between state institutions and religious communities.
"The World Council of Churches expresses solidarity to the Armenian Apostolic Church, whose historical testimony and unwavering role have long contributed to the spiritual life of the Armenian nation and the world's Christian unity," he said.
"At this point, we call on all stakeholders to operate responsibility and dignity."
